G Vietnamese 1 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G Vietnamese 1 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Vietnamese 1 scale is a five-note scale used in traditional Vietnamese art music. On Guitar, it contains the notes G, Bb, C, D, Eb. It is a core structure for expressing specific modal sentiments and is characterized by its fluid, vocal-like melodic capabilities. Commonly used in Vietnamese, World, Traditional. Notable players include Trinh Cong Son. Use over simple triads and sustained bass notes. The scale's strength is in melodic expression, not complex harmony.
Notes: G, Bb, C, D, Eb
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-W-H-4
Number of notes: 5
How to Play G Vietnamese 1 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 3 on the 6th (low E) to find your G root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The G Vietnamese 1 scale contains 2 flats (Bb, Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the G Vietnamese 1 scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in G. Try a G5 - D5 - Eb5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the G Vietnamese 1 scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for pentatonic scale runs.
The G Vietnamese 1 scale contains 5 notes (G, Bb, C, D, Eb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Vietnamese 1
The G Vietnamese 1 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore G Vietnamese 1 Further
- Harmonize the G Vietnamese 1 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Vietnamese 1 on Ukulele
- G Vietnamese 1 on Bass
- G Vietnamese 1 on Piano
Explore G Vietnamese 1 in Other Tunings
- G Vietnamese 1 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Vietnamese 1 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Vietnamese 1 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Vietnamese 1 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)